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Photo by Lexie Hudson, TexAgs
Texas A&M Baseball

Aggies falter at plate, suffer first loss of season to Pepperdine, 2-1

February 25, 2017
6,710

Game #6: Pepperdine 2, Texas A&M 1
Records: Pepperdine 4-1 (0-0), Texas A&M 5-1 (0-0),
WP: Max Gamboa (1-0)
LP: Corbin Martin (0-1)
Save: Jordan Qsar (1)

Box Score




For the second game in a row at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park, fans had a pitching duel on their hands. This time the Aggies came out on losing the end, falling to Pepperdine, 2-1, to drop their first game of the season.

Pepperdine got the scoring started early in the first inning when Waves right-fielder Jordan Qsar laced a double to left-field, scoring a runner from second. Aggie pitcher Stephen Kolek shut the door on the Pepperdine rally and struck out Austin Bernard to end the inning, stranding a runner at third.

Kolek got the ball for the Aggies on Saturday afternoon for the second week in a row. He had another solid performance, going 6.0 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER and 2 strikeouts.

After the game, he said, “I was just trying to pound the zone, and let my defense work.”

That defensive work was highlighted by Aggie third baseman George Janca, who had four diving stops at third base on the day. The most impressive stop came in the third when Janca robbed Waves first baseman Ben Rodriguez of extra bases and prevented a run from scoring to end the third inning.

“Got to love a guy like that playing behind you. He’s a great player,” Kolek said of his third baseman.

As good as Kolek was, Pepperdine starter Max Gamboa matched him pitch for pitch. Gamboa went 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 hits, and 10 strikeouts on the day.
As good as Kolek was, Pepperdine starter Max Gamboa matched him pitch for pitch. Gamboa went 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 hits, and 10 strikeouts on the day.

“Early (Gamboa's) stuff was really good. First time through the line-up, he struck out six. It was like Nolan Ryan the first time through,” said A&M head coach Rob Childress.

Pepperdine used a bullpen of Max Green and Jordan Qsar to shut down the Aggies the rest of the way.

The Aggies' lone run on the day came in the 3rd inning after Nick Choruby drew a two-out walk. He then managed to steal second on a two-strike pitch to Cam Blake, who singled Choruby home later in the bat.

The Aggies' undoing was on the base-paths today. A&M lost four outs on the bases, and senior Austin Homan was picked off twice. The second time came in the eighth when he was picked off at second base with two on and nobody out as the Aggies were starting to rally. A&M ended up scoring no runs in the inning.

“In two games in this series, we’ve made nine outs on the bases,” said Childress. “You’re telling the other team: 'You don’t have to come get us for nine innings. You can come get us for eight innings, and we will give you three or four outs a game. That’s not good baseball.”

The Aggies will be back in action tomorrow to finish the series with Pepperdine. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Olsen Field. Sophomore right-hander Mitchell Kilkenny is scheduled to take the ball for A&M.
 
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